Jesus Unmasked

“For Martin Luther King came marching and preaching, and you said, ‘He is an enemy of the state,” and Colin Kaepernick knelt in silence, and you said, ‘He is disrespecting our flag.’” These may not be the exact words of Jesus, but they’re an eye-opening modern translation. For the fifth Sunday after Pentecost, Adam and Lindsey read Matthew 11:16-19 and 25-30.

“Jesus Unmasked” seeks to remove the masks of exclusive theology and violent cultural lenses that obscure the truth of Jesus’s unconditional love. Scripture passages are read from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible.

“Jesus Unmasked” is a Raven Foundation production.

As prophets arise all over the United States, Lindsey and Adam reflect on Matthew 10: 40-42. “Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward…”

“Jesus Unmasked” seeks to remove the masks of exclusive theology and violent cultural lenses that obscure the truth of Jesus’s unconditional love. Scripture passages are read from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible.

“Jesus Unmasked” is a Raven Foundation production.

This week’s verses are dangerous. They have been weaponized and wielded especially against black and brown children of God. But as Adam and Lindsey read Matthew 10:24-39, they seek to de-weaponize but not disempower these bold words of Jesus. In fact, the weaponization of these words undermines the radical love Jesus speaks and models, and only when we disconnect them from violence can we see their true strength.

“Jesus Unmasked” seeks to remove the masks of exclusive theology and violent cultural lenses that obscure the truth of Jesus’s unconditional love. Scripture passages are read from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible.

“Jesus Unmasked” is a Raven Foundation production

In the midst of a nation rising up for justice in the wake of the murder of George Floyd, Lindsey and Adam look at Matthew 9:35-10:8, when Jesus sent his disciples to be in solidarity with the vulnerable people of Israel. “Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.”

What does Jesus send followers to do? Proclaim that there is one true way to follow and all others are damned? Of course not.

“Jesus Unmasked” seeks to remove the masks of exclusive theology and violent cultural lenses that obscure the truth of Jesus’s unconditional love. Scripture passages are read from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible.

“Jesus Unmasked” is a Raven Foundation production

The Trinity: A doctrine of confusion, a litmus test for entry into heaven, or the ever-flowing essence of Love? If you’ve been bewildered or angered or hurt by the way the Trinity has been explained or used or… weaponized… Adam and Lindsey can empathize! They grew to love this doctrine when they saw that, rather than condemn or separate, the Trinity reveals our participation in the relationship of Love.

For Trinity Sunday, Adam and Lindsey dive into this doctrine, using Matthew 28: 16-20 as their springboard. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

“Jesus Unmasked” seeks to remove the masks of exclusive theology and violent cultural lenses that obscure the truth of Jesus’s unconditional love. Scripture passages are read from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible.

“Jesus Unmasked” is a Raven Foundation production

Shalom, Assalaamu Alaikum, Peace be with you. The languages are different, but the message God gives to us to give to one another – the message of love and comfort and affirmation – is the same. The Holy Spirit gives us breath to speak and hearts to listen as Love moves through us. For Pentecost, Lindsey and Adam read Acts 2: 1-21. “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them ability.”

“Jesus Unmasked” seeks to remove the masks of exclusive theology and violent cultural lenses that obscure the truth of Jesus’s unconditional love. Scripture passages are read from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible.

“Jesus Unmasked” is a Raven Foundation production.

Christ has ascended to Heaven, exalted in Love. On the 7th Sunday of Easter, Adam and Lindsey read a portion of Jesus’s farewell discourse, John 17: 1-11: “And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”

“Jesus Unmasked” seeks to remove the masks of exclusive theology and violent cultural lenses that obscure the truth of Jesus’s unconditional love. Scripture passages are read from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible.

“Jesus Unmasked” is a Raven Foundation production.

Let’s get some Holy Spirit up in here! For the 6th Sunday in Easter, Lindsey and Adam read John 14:15-21. “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever.”

“Jesus Unmasked” seeks to remove the masks of exclusive theology and violent cultural lenses that obscure the truth of Jesus’s unconditional love. Scripture passages are read from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible.

“Jesus Unmasked” is a Raven Foundation production.

The Gospel lesson for the fifth Sunday in Easter is a doozy. Adam and Lindsey explore John 14: 1-14, wherein there is nestled one of the most misused quotes of Jesus in all of scripture. Interpreted through the lens of mercy, the words he speaks are life-giving, but too often they are twisted through the lens of sacrifice. “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

“Jesus Unmasked” seeks to remove the masks of exclusive theology and violent cultural lenses that obscure the truth of Jesus’s unconditional love. Scripture passages are read from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible.

“Jesus Unmasked” is a Raven Foundation production.

For the fourth Sunday in Easter, Lindsey and Adam read one of the most bizarre and compelling passages of scripture, John 10: 1- 10, where Jesus uses a decidedly strange metaphor for himself. “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. … Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. … The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

“Jesus Unmasked” seeks to remove the masks of exclusive theology and violent cultural lenses that obscure the truth of Jesus’s unconditional love. Scripture passages are read from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible.

“Jesus Unmasked” is a Raven Foundation production.